I believe couch surfing gives you an experience you wouldn't gain if you stay at a local hotel or hostel. Because this way you can get to know the person you are stay with much better and learn more about each other^^

Since my childhood I've traveled allot specially due to my dad's job. Thanks to this I've met many people who even tho have a different culture or ideals we still managed to get along very well^^ This showed me that from where you are, how you look or what you think are no excuses to not know each other better^^